Mobile refrigeration apparatus

ABSTRACT

A refrigeration unit designed for prolonged cooling with intermittent power supplies and adaptability to rotation is described. A spherical design is utilized comprising internal compartments that shift according to orientation of the sphere and enable internal cycling of water at substantially 4 degrees Celsius about an icy core.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/564,424, filed Oct. 4, 2017, which is a National Stage Entry ofPCT/US2016/025924, filed Apr. 4, 2016, which claims priorities to U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/143,662 filed on Apr. 6, 2015,U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/151,318 filed on Apr. 22,2015, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/151,322 filed onApr. 22, 2015, the contents of all of which are expressly incorporatedby reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a refrigeration apparatus. Inparticularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to arefrigeration apparatus for use in storing and transporting vaccines,perishable food items, packaged beverages or the like, and for thecooling or temperature control of equipment such as batteries, in theabsence of a reliable supply of electricity. Aspects of the inventionrelate to an apparatus and to a method.

BACKGROUND

A large proportion of the world's population does not have access to aconsistent and reliable supply of mains electricity. The storage ofvaccines, food items and beverages at appropriate temperatures isdifficult in such areas where this absence of a constant and/or reliablesupply of electrical power restricts the widespread use of conventionalrefrigeration equipment. Further, shipping these items while cooled andwith minimal access to electricity poses additional complications.

The applicants have identified improved apparatus to facilitatepackaging, transportation and efficiency in some applications. It isagainst this background that the present invention has been conceived.Other aims and advantages of the invention will become apparent from thefollowing description, claims and drawings.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/383,118 (Inventors: Tansley, et al.;filed on Jul. 9, 2010), titled “Refrigeration Apparatus,” U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/373,580 (inventors: Tansley, et al.; filed onJan. 28, 2013), titled “Refrigeration Apparatus,” European PatentApplication No. 1416879.3 (inventors: Tansley, et al.; filed Sep. 24,2014), titled “Cooling Apparatus and Method,” and “PolyethyleneNanofibers with very High Thermal Conductivities” by A. Henry, et al.published in Nature Nanotechnology on Mar. 7, 2010 are herebyincorporated by reference in their entirety and for all purposes to thesame extent as if the patent application was specifically reprinted inthis specification.

SUMMARY

Embodiments include a mobile refrigeration apparatus. The mobilerefrigeration apparatus comprising a thermally conductive sphericalshell contained within an insulated container and substantially full ofwater. Suspended in the center of the thermally conductive sphericalshell is a cooling element that generates ice from the water containedwithin the thermally conductive shell. A thermally insulating cup ishoused within the thermally conductive spherical shell and contains thecooling element. The thermally insulating cup is configured to alwaysorient upright despite the orientation of the insulated container andenabled for the water contained within the thermally conductive shell topass in and out of the thermally insulating cup.

Certain embodiments provide for orienting the thermally insulating cupby using a gimbal. Other embodiments make use of a thermally insulatingcup rotatably mounted about a bar which rotatably mounts to theinsulated container. Still other embodiments provide for use of amodified thermally insulating cup

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a cut away illustration of a mobile refrigeration unit;

FIG. 1B is a flowchart of operation of a functionally orientationagnostic refrigerator;

FIG. 2 is a cut away illustration of a mobile refrigeration unit using apowered rotation bar;

FIG. 3 is a cut away illustration of a mobile refrigeration unit using agimbal;

FIG. 4A is a cut away illustration of a mobile refrigeration unit usinga free floating icy core;

FIG. 4B is a close up of a floating icy core; and

FIG. 5 is a cut away illustration of a mobile refrigeration unit with abuoyant hemisphere;

FIG. 6 is a cut away illustration of a shippable refrigerated vendingmachine;

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating a method of refrigerator shipping;

FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating a method for venting a refrigeratorshipping container;

FIG. 9 is a cut away diagram of a plurality of sensors associated withrefrigerated shipping containers;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart for redirection of refrigerated shippingcontainer based upon sensor warning; and

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of distribution prevention based on sensorfailure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A refrigeration unit designed for prolonged cooling with intermittentpower supplies and adaptability to rotation is described. A sphericaldesign is utilized comprising internal compartments that shift accordingto orientation of the sphere and enable internal cycling of water atsubstantially 4 degrees Celsius about an icy core. The refrigerator maybe used for the cold storage and transportation of vaccines withoutfreezing the contents of said vaccines.

For purposes of this disclosure, the term “cup” refers to an objectwhich contains fluids and is not entirely sealed.

With reference to FIG. 2 of the '580 application of the incorporatedart, a weir means of temperature regulation was taught. The '580application taught the use of two fluid reservoirs separated by athermally insulated dividing wall. One of these reservoirs contained arefrigeration unit which generated an icy core. The reservoirs werejoined by an open slot which created a mixing region where water whichwas substantially 4 degrees Celsius cycled between the two regions. Theapparatus disclosed in the '580 application is useful; however, whenturned on a side, the mixing region ceases to function properly. Duethis orientation issue, shipping the apparatus in a functional state isproblematic.

FIG. 1A is a cut away illustration of a mobile refrigeration apparatus2. The apparatus 2 comprises an insulated container 4 and a sphericalcooling globe 6. The insulated container 4 comprises suitable thermalinsulation for shipping temperature sensitive items, a payload space 8to store items, and an access door 10. Volume inside the insulatedcontainer 4 is dedicated to spherical cooling globe 6, physical supportof the spherical cooling globe (not shown), payload space 8, and supportof payload items (not shown). In certain embodiments, refrigerationapparatus is affixed to the insulated container, but stored outside ofthe internal volume of the insulated container.

The spherical cooling globe 6 comprises a thermally conductive shell(“shell”) 12 substantially full of water. The extent to which thespherical cooling globe 6 is full or water is dependent on the amount ofice contained within the shell 12. Inside the shell 12, there is asuspended insulating cup (“cup”) 14. The cup 14 separates two reservoirsof water inside the shell 12: the water inside the cup, and the wateroutside of the cup. Where the two reservoirs meet, there are mixingregions 16. Inside the cup, is a cooling element 18. The cooling element18, when powered cools the water within the shell and in the immediatevicinity of the cooling element 18, an icy core forms.

The water inside the cooling globe 6 does not necessarily need to bepure, or even necessarily water. The important characteristic havehaving a fluid material having a critical temperature at which thedensity of the fluid is the greatest, such that when the fluid is aboveor below that temperature, the fluid is less dense. In the case of purewater, this temperature is four degrees Celsius. Colder or warmer wateris less dense than water at 4 degrees Celsius.

In operation, water that is four degrees Celsius will come to restoutside of the cup 14. When that water warms, the warmer water will riseup in the shell 12 and enter the mixing zones 16. Water in the cup willbe cooler due to the presence of the cooling element 18. The warmerwater rising from the four degree reservoir will cool in the mixing zoneand sink once reaching four degrees again into the cup 14. Once in thecup 14, the water will cool further from four degrees, and rise againback into the mixing zone 16. This effect causes the water outside ofthe cup 14 and in contact with the shell 12 to substantially maintain atemperature of 4 degrees Celsius. When the spherical cooling globe 6 isrotated or rolled to another orientation, the cup 14 inside the shell 12re-orients so the mixing zones 16 are maintained.

The cooling element 18 takes various embodiments. In a thermoelectriccooling embodiment the cooling element 18 comprises a cooling plate, anda heating plate resides outside of the insulated container 4. In someembodiments the cooling element 18 provides cooling with a refrigerantpumped therethrough by means of a pump and refrigeration apparatusexternal to the insulated container 4. In some embodiments, the coolingelement 18 is operated by refrigerant that has been cooled by expansionof compressed refrigerant in the manner of a conventionalvapor-compression refrigeration cycle additionally external to thecontainer.

FIG. 1B is a flowchart of operation of a functionally orientationagnostic refrigerator. In step 102, the mobile refrigeration apparatus 2is oriented in a first position. In step 104, the water inside the shell12 equalizes at approximately four degrees Celsius. Based on theconstruction of the cooling globe 6, water warming from four degreesrises to meet colder water which is falling as the cooler water warms tofour degrees. Rising water in the mixing zone cools down and sinkstowards the cooling element 18. Water by the cooling element 18 coolsand returns to the mixing zone.

In step 106, the mobile refrigeration apparatus 2 is reoriented. In step108, the insulator cup 14 re-orients with the mobile refrigerationapparatus 2. The reorienting occurs based on design implementationswhich make use of weights, buoyant materials, or balance mechanisms toautomatically re-orient. In step 110, the cooling globe 6 continues toequalize temperature at four degrees.

FIG. 2 is a cut away illustration of an embodiment of a mobilerefrigeration unit using a powered rotation bar 20. Embodiments includespherical cooling globe 6 rotatably mounted on a powered rotation bar(“bar”) 20. The bar 20 is further rotatably mounted to a powered rail(“rail”) 22 outside of the spherical cooling apparatus and inside thecontainer.

The bar 20 provides power and/or refrigerant delivery and removal to andfrom the cooling element 18. Where the bar 20 contacts the rail,additional tubing or heat exchanging apparatus is concealed. Certainembodiments are configured where the cooling element 18 functions onlyin a single, predetermined orientation or the bar 20 within the rail 22.Other, more expensive, embodiments include functional cooling at allorientations. Certain embodiments of bar 20 and rail 22 interface aredesigned such that the bar is affixed as a spoke in a wheel, and thewheel rotates within the rail 22 to provide an improved seal forconcealing heat exchanging apparatus. The bar 20 and rail 22 arethermally insulated.

The cooling element 18 is mounted centrally on the bar 20 and optionallyincludes an ice growth sensor (not shown) mounted perpendicularly to thebar 20. The ice growth sensor instructs the cooling element 18 to ceasefunction when ice freezes over the ice growth sensor. The ice growthsensor improves power efficiency of the spherical cooling globe 6 andadditionally prevents ice from contacting the cup 14.

The spherical cooling globe 6 has an additional weight 24 mounted at thebase of the shell so when the container 4 is rotated on the axis of therail 22, the spherical cooling globe 6 rotates to maintain orientationof the cup 14 and cooling element 18. Items in the payload space 8 arecontained in wall mounted satchels or cages to prevent creating frictionwith or physically blocking the bar 20 and spherical cooling globe 6.

Inside the spherical cooling globe 6, the cup 14 is rotatably mounted onthe bar 20. At the top rim of the cup 14 is made of buoyant material 26.When the container 4 is rotated in the axis perpendicular to the rail22, the cup 14 rotates about the bar 20 and the buoyant upper rim 26remains upright.

Additionally affixed to the inside of the cup 14 is mesh netting 28. Themesh netting 28 acts as a collector for broken or split chunks of theicy core. If the container 4 is dropped, and the icy core cracks orsplits and chunks of ice fall off, the netting keeps the chunks of iceinside the cup 14 rather than allow the chunks of ice to float out ofthe cup 14 thereby causing harm to the cooling mechanism of the coolingglobe 6.

The shell 12 has a hatch 30 enabling the shell 12 to fill with water.

FIG. 3 is a cut away illustration of an embodiment of a mobilerefrigeration unit using a gimbal. Embodiments of the invention includespherical cooling globe 6 mounted inside an insulated container 4 viastruts 32. Inside the spherical cooling apparatus, a three-axis gimbal34 ensures the cup 14 remains upright despite the orientation of theinsulated container 4.

Gimbal embodiments of the invention do not require that items containedin the payload 8 space refrain from contact with the shell 12. Rotationis conducted inside the shell 12. Gimbal axes 34A-C are aerodynamic soas to prevent drag with water within the shell 12. Gimbal axes 34A-C,mounting arms 36, and struts are thermally insulated and provide a spaceto conceal power cabling and/or heat exchanging apparatus.

When the insulated container 4 is reoriented, the first two gimbal axes34A-B rotate to compensate, and the third gimbal axis 34C which the cup14 is affixed to remains stationary and upright.

The cooling element 18 is affixed inside the cup 14 at the center of thespherical cooling globe 6. The cooling element 18 optionally includes anice growth sensor mounted radially from the center of sphere of ice.

Gimbal 34 embodiments include other compatible components of bar 20embodiments.

FIG. 4A is a cut away illustration of a mobile refrigeration unit 2using a free floating icy core 19 and FIG. 4B is a close up of a freefloating icy core 19. Embodiments of include a cup 14A and an icy core19 which are free floating inside the water contained within the shell12.

The free floating cup 14A is shaped in a largely spherical manner with abuoyant spout 38 mounted on top. The spout 38 on the free floating cup14A is made of buoyant material. Regardless of the orientation of theshell 12, the spout 38 of the free floating cup 14A will orient upwardsand abut against the inner side of the shell 12. The spout 38 includesmixing vents 40. The mixing vents 40 provide for an interface betweenthe water reservoir inside the free floating cup 14A and the waterreservoir outside of the free floating cup 14A despite that the spout 38abuts against the inner surface of the shell 12.

The free floating icy core 19 comprises a buoyant disc and a heavycooling element. The buoyant disc 42 is made from a material less densethan ice. The buoyant disc 42 will remain upright and abut the netting28 affixed inside the cup 14A. The buoyant disc 42 is insulating andprovides for a spacer between the cooling element 18 and the netting 28so that ice does not form entangled with or above the netting 28.

Additionally an ice growth sensor 44 is mounted at the edge of thebuoyant disc 42 to prevent the function of the cooling element 18 onceice 46 has forced out to the edge of the buoyant disc 42. Arefrigeration pipe 48 extends upward from the buoyant disc 42 to concealheat exchanging apparatus. The refrigeration pipe 48 is additionallythreaded through the netting 28 and is directed out of the free floatingcup 14A through the spout 38.

The shell 12 in free floating embodiments additionally comprises arefrigeration connector 50. In certain embodiments, the refrigerationconnector 50 is affixed to the hatch 30 on the shell 12, though otherembodiments the refrigeration pipe 50 is affixed in another location onthe surface of the shell 12. The refrigeration pipe 48 is preferablyflexible so as to not impede the rotation of the shell 12 inside theinsulated container 4.

When a user intends for the cooling element 18 to operate and generateice 46, the insulated container 4 and shell 12 are oriented upright andthe refrigeration pipe 48 and the refrigeration connector 50 match up.When the refrigeration pipe 48 and connector 50 match up, heatexchanging apparatus is functional.

Still other embodiments do not include the use of a cooling element 18.Such embodiments are pre-prepared with pre-made blocks of ice 46, filledwith cool water, and sealed. Optionally, embodiments of the coolingglobe 6 which do not use a cooling element 18 are designed smaller andused in large quantities to more effectively use volume inside theinsulated container. The effect is similar to that of filling thepayload space with ice cubes (or spheres), but the outer surface of eachsphere remains at four degrees Celsius rather than zero or below.

FIG. 5 is a cut away illustration of a mobile refrigeration unit with abuoyant hemisphere 52. Embodiments of the invention include a shell 12containing an insulating and buoyant hemisphere 52. The shell 12 issupported in the insulated container 4 by struts 32. Inside the shell 12is an insulating hemisphere 52. The rest of the volume of the shell 12is substantially full of water. The insulating hemisphere 52 containsbuoyant material 54 on the outer region of the hemisphere 52. Thebuoyant material 54 is less dense than ice.

Accordingly, the insulating hemisphere 52 will always float to settle atthe upper hemisphere of the shell 12 regardless of the orientation ofthe insulated container 4 or the shell 12. The water in the shell 12remains in contact with the lower hemisphere of the shell and absorbsheat from the payload space while the upper hemisphere of the shell 12is comparatively thermally inert.

On the underside of the insulating hemisphere 52 is a cavity with acooling element 18. The cooling element 18, when active, generates ice46 from the water contained within the shell 12. In use, water by theice 46 will be close to zero degrees, while denser water closer to fourdegrees will sink to the bottom of the lower hemisphere of the shell 12.As the water warms from four degrees, the water rises and comes intocontact with cooler water by the ice 46, cools down again, and returnsto the bottom of the lower hemisphere of the shell 12.

The cooling element 18 is affixed to a refrigeration pipe 48 which isembedded through the center of the insulating hemisphere 52. Therefrigeration pipe contains heat exchanging apparatus. During coolingoperation, the insulated container 4 is placed in the appropriateorientation for the refrigeration pipe 48 to match up with arefrigeration connection 50 concealed internally within a strut. Therefrigeration connection enables heat exchanging apparatus outside thevolume of the insulated container to use the cooling element 18 insidethe shell 12.

In another smaller and simpler embodiment of the invention illustratedin FIG. 5, a plurality of small, thermally conducting shells 12including buoyant insulating hemispheres 52 comprise a significantportion of the volume of the insulated container 4. The buoyantinsulating hemispheres 52 include a cavity on the underside of thehemisphere for insertion of a block of ice 46. The remainder of thevolume of the shell is substantially filled with water.

In comparison to FIG. 5, the smaller and simple embodiment is the same,without the cooling element 18, the refrigeration pipe 48, therefrigeration connection 50, and the struts 32. The cooling schemeoccurs in precisely the same manner. The effect is similar to that offilling the payload space with ice cubes (or spheres), but the outersurface of each sphere remains at four degrees Celsius rather than zeroor below.

FIG. 6 is a cut away illustration of a shippable refrigerated vendingmachine 56. The shippable refrigerated vending machine 56 is designed toreduce human involvement in the distribution of refrigerated goods,especially vaccines. The refrigerated vending machine 56 is designedwith a spherical cooling globe 6. The cooling globe 6 maintains atemperature of substantially four degrees Celsius for prolonged periodsof time, measured in days, without power and regardless of theorientation of the cooling globe 6.

The cooling globe 6 may be constructed similarly to above disclosedcooling globe 6 embodiments. In some embodiments, the refrigeratedvending machine 56 uses a plurality of small cooling globes 6 whichmaintain the temperature of four degrees Celsius for a prolonged periodof time without power and regardless of orientation.

The cooling globe(s) 6 is housed within a vending machine containment8A. The vending machine containment 8A comprises an insulated container4. Support struts 32 maintain positioning of the cooling globe 6 andconceal heat exchanging apparatus 58 between the cooling globe 6 andrefrigeration apparatus 60. When set up for operation, the refrigerationapparatus 60 is plugged in and provides power as necessary to a coolingelement (not shown) housed within the cooling globe 18.

Before use, one or more payload belts 62 or cartridges are wrappedaround the cooling globe 6. The payload belts 62 are inserted through ahatch 10 on the insulated container 4. The hatch 10 is sealed before useand/or shipping.

Upon arriving at a destination, the refrigerated vending machine is setup and customers make selections which are delivered to a vendingcompartment by a payload feeder. Selection of payload is determined bysuitable known vending selection apparatus.

In some embodiments, selection of payload 64 such as medication andvaccines is determined through a biometric scanner 66. The biometricscanner 66 governed by a logic circuit 68 and a memory 70 storingrecords and instructions. The biometric scanner 66 either determines theidentity of a customer through biometric identification such as afingerprint, retinal, or other suitable biometric identification orperforms a need based scan. Needs based scans comprise blood tests orother suitable quickly performed biometric tests. As an illustrativeexample, a refrigerated vending machine having a payload 64 of insulinperforms a blood sugar test on customers.

The vending machine 56 goes through several phases. First the vendingmachine is constructed, the payload 64 is inserted, and the coolingglobe 6 is made functional. Then the vending machine 56 is sealed up,and with minimal packaging, shipped to a destination. Depending on thedestination and means of shipping, optionally the vending machine 56 issupplied additional power somewhere en-route to refresh the coolingcapability of the cooling globe 6. Upon arrival at the destination, thevending machine 56 is oriented upright, and provided whatever powersource is available at the destination. Customers then have access tothe vending machine 56. When the payload 64 is spent, the vendingmachine 56 is either refilled, or the cooling globe 6 is drained ofwater and the vending machine 56 is shipped back to the origin point andrefilled.

In certain embodiments, an inlet and outlet vent 72 which fills andempties the cooling globe 6 of water is concealed within a strut 32. Theinlet and outlet vent 72 enables water to be added and removed withoutopening the container 4.

In some embodiments, a cooling globe 6 is not used. Rather a simplerwater-based cooling means described in the incorporated references areused with a payload cartridge 64 or payload belt 62 and the vendingmachine 56 is not configured to be shipped as an active cooling unit.

Certain embodiments of the invention are constructed with easily stripaway components. The components of the invention are broken down afterdelivery of payload items 64 is achieved. The broken down components aremore easily packed and return shipped.

Certain embodiments of the invention use components made fromcompostable parts. Embodiments of compostable parts include seeds thatare planted during the composting process.

Certain embodiments of the invention use recyclable components such asthermally conductive plastics and regularly insulating plastics.

Certain embodiments of the invention use a combination of reusable,recyclable and compostable components. After use, some components arebroken down and shipped back to the point of origin, some components aresent to a recycling plant, and some components are left to degradenaturally.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating a method of refrigerator shipping.In step 702, a supplier obtains a shipping refrigerator. The shippingrefrigerator is preferably water cooled. In some embodiments, mobilerefrigerators as described above used. In other embodiments,refrigerators disclosed in incorporated art are used. In still otherembodiments any other suitable refrigerator capable of being shipped isused.

Once the refrigerator is chosen, in step 704, a payload is added. Instep 706, the payload is sealed in the refrigerator for shipment. Instep 708, an itinerary comprising a destination along with a means orpath to arrive at said destination is chosen. Known and common shippingand freight methods are all acceptable. In step 710, the refrigerator isthen shipped.

When an itinerary calls for a particularly long shipping journey, therefrigerator will require additional power to re-cool. In step 712, whenthe refrigerator requires additional power, a note in the itinerary isadded. In step 714, such notation instructs shipping personnel ofappropriate action to re-chill the refrigerator. Time to complete there-chilling of the refrigerator is planned into the itinerary. In step716, once the refrigerator is re-chilled, the shipping processcontinues.

In step 718, the refrigerator arrives at the intended destination. Instep 720, once at the destination, the refrigerator payload isdistributed to customers or clients. Such customers or clients compriseeither consumers for chilled goods, doctors whom provide vaccines topatients, or patients themselves. In step 722, once the refrigerator hascompleted distribution, unnecessary parts and weight is removed and therefrigerator is return shipped for additional use.

As an illustrative example, where a refrigerator must be shipped by boator vessel across the Pacific ocean, there is risk that the temperatureinside the refrigerator will rise to an unacceptable level. When therisk is perceived to be too high, additional power is required togenerate more ice in the water cooled refrigerator.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating a method for venting a refrigeratorshipping container. In steps 802-806, Similarly to the method taught inFIG. 7, first a refrigerator is loaded and sealed for transit, thenshipped.

A given itinerary to ship a refrigerator has multiple legs or segmentsof shipping. Each leg uses a different mode of transit such as train,plane, and ship. In step 808, when a mode of transit provides atemperature controlled environment, and weight is a greater concern thantemperature, in step 810, shipping personnel vent the water from therefrigerator thereby significantly reducing the weight of therefrigerator through the inlet/outlet vent as pictured in FIG. 6.

Once the leg where temperature is controlled and weight is a concern isended, In step 814, the refrigerator is refilled with water and thenecessary amount of water is refrozen. If there are remaining legs thedetermination of step 808, if the refrigerator is too heavy, is madeagain until the refrigerator arrives at the destination. In step 820,then the payload is distributed.

As an illustrative example, planes sometimes have refrigeratedcompartments, but a heavier plane requires a noticeable amount ofadditional fuel. Water would be vented to accommodate this circumstance.

FIG. 9 is a cut away diagram of a plurality of sensors associated withrefrigerated shipping containers. A refrigerated container's sensorscomprise a thermometer both in the payload space of the refrigerator 74Aand a thermometer inside the cooling globe 74B. These thermometers 74record differences in cooling potential and provide data to performanalytics on. As an alternative to a thermometer inside therefrigeration apparatus, a thermometer is placed on the surface of therefrigeration apparatus 74C.

In addition to the thermometers 74, the refrigerated container 4additionally includes a humidity 76 sensor and a gyroscope 78. Thegyroscope reports the orientation of the container 4. The humiditysensor 76 reports the water content of the air inside the container 4.

All of these sensors report data to a control chip 80. The control chip80 in turn reports the sensor information to an outside server by use ofa wireless communicator 82. The server (not shown) provides informationto shipping personnel. In some embodiments the control chip 80 reportsthe data to a surface mounted label 84. The label 84 comprises a digitaldisplay or a scannable code. In embodiments where the control chip 80does not report data to the label 84, the label 84 is simply a staticidentification for the container 4.

The combination of these sensors create warnings when certain thresholdsor gradients are met. Thresholds include specific readings, or a changein readings at a specific rate. There are also multiple thresholds toindicate differing levels of severity. Different levels of severityinclude suggested potential causes associated with the given threshold.A particularly severe threshold warning would suggest that the containerwas breached, or the refrigeration apparatus had failed.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart for redirection of refrigerated shippingcontainer based upon sensor warning. In step 1002, while during shippingone or more of the sensors of FIG. 9 registers a warning to the server.In step 1004, server operation will determine the severity of thewarning as compared to the refrigerated container's itinerary. Suchcomparison includes factors such as the time remaining on the shippingitinerary, the predicted weather conditions in the remaining legs of theshipping route, the nature of the threshold, the locations of othershipping refrigerators, the destinations of those refrigerators, and thewarning status of the other refrigerators in the shipping swarm.

In step 1006, based upon the determination of severity, remediationmeasures are taken. If the refrigerator has a minimally severe warningand is near the destination, server operation will no instruct for aroute change. In step 1008, if there is a severe warning, and theshipping itinerary includes a long journey, server operation will directthat refrigerator to a closer destination, and direct another shippingrefrigerator with similar payload, without a warning, to replace thedamaged refrigerator's route. In some cases, the new destination for thedamaged shipping refrigerator is a disposal facility.

In step 1010, rerouting is conducted by shipping personnel through useof the surface labels on the shipping refrigerators.

In step 1012, when the warning is not so severe as to reroute a shippingrefrigerator, in some cases the shipping refrigerator is adjusted. Instep 1014, personnel are directed to make adjustments includingreattaching the refrigerator to a power source and generating more ice,changing the orientation of the refrigerator, moving the refrigerator toa cooler location, or any other reasonable spot adjustments known in theart.

In step 1016, a shipping refrigerator that is not re-routed is deliveredto the original destination.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of distribution prevention based on sensorfailure. In step 1102, when onboard sensors generate enough warnings, afinal “catastrophic failure” warning is generated and forwarded to theserver. When this occurs, in step 1104, the server operation determinesthe most cost efficient action.

The payload is either returned, or the payload is sent to thedestination but prevented from distribution. The determination dependson how close or far the shipping refrigerator is from the destination.In step 1106, if it is more cost efficient to send the refrigerator backto origin, this is the outcome. In step 1108, if it is cheaper to have atechnician resolve the issue at the destination, this is the outcome.

Where the shipping refrigerator reaches the destination, andcatastrophic failure occurs, the distribution mechanism is disabled. Themeans for removing the payload from the shipping refrigerator isdisabled until a technician with special access unlocks the shippingrefrigerator. In step 1110, the technician will dispose of the payloadas necessary.

Although the invention is described herein with reference to thepreferred embodiment, one skilled in the art will readily appreciatethat other applications may be substituted for those set forth hereinwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.Accordingly, the invention should only be limited by the Claims includedbelow.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A functionally orientation agnostic, mobilerefrigeration apparatus, comprising: an insulated container havingpayload space; a thermally conductive spherical shell (“sphericalshell”) contained within the insulated container and configured to befull of water; a cooling element for generating ice from the watercontained within the spherical shell, the cooling element suspendedcentrally in the spherical shell; and an insulator cup that is thermallyinsulating and housed within the spherical shell and configured tocontain the cooling element positioned centrally in the spherical shell,the insulator cup having an upper lip from which higher-density waterwithin the thermally conductive spherical shell spills from, theinsulator cup further configured to be oriented continuously uprightdespite the orientation of the insulated container and enabled for watercontained within the spherical shell to pass in and out of the top ofthe insulator cup.
 22. The apparatus of claim 21, further comprising: apowered rotation bar upon which the cooling element, the insulating cup,and spherical shell are mounted on, and where the spherical shell andcooling element are mounted to the powered rotation bar in a fixedorientation and the insulator cup is mounted to the powered rotation barin a freely rotating configuration; and a circular powered rail fixedinternally to the insulated container and upon which the poweredrotation bar is mounted; wherein the powered rotation bar rotates freelywithin the circular powered rail such that despite the orientation ofthe insulated container, the powered rotation bar is in a horizontalorientation, and the circular powered rail draws power from an externalsource, and delivers power to the powered rotation bar, which in turndelivers power to the cooling element.
 23. The apparatus of claim 21,further comprising: supports which mount the spherical shell centrallyin the insulated container and include embedded electrical wiring fromthe exterior of the insulated container to the spherical shell; and agimbal mounted inside the spherical shell and configured to maintain andupright orientation for the insulator cup and including embeddedelectrical wiring which delivers power from the supports to the coolingelement.
 24. The apparatus of claim 21, further comprising: a buoyanttop affixed to the top of the insulator cup which ensures the uprightorientation of the insulator cup; a pipe affixed to the cooling elementand oriented to pass through the buoyant top, the pipe includingelectrical wiring to provide power to the cooling element; and a hatchon the surface of the spherical shell; wherein orienting the hatch asthe top of the spherical shell additionally orients the pipe with thehatch and provides users access to the electrical wiring.
 25. Theapparatus of claim 21, further comprising: netting strung across theinsulator cup and above the cooling element configured to catch andcollect ice that breaks off of the cooling element.
 26. The apparatus ofclaim 21, the cooling element further comprising: an ice growth sensorwhich is configured limit the growth of ice around the cooling elementsuch that the cooling element shuts off when ice reaches a predeterminedgrowth size.
 27. The apparatus of claim 21, further comprising: vendingmachine controls mounted on the exterior of the insulated container andenabling users to select payload items; and a vending machine dispensermounted inside the insulated container and configured to eject aselected payload item from the insulated container.
 28. The apparatus ofclaim 27, wherein the vending machine controls comprise a biometricscanner.
 29. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the internal temperatureof the insulated container is maintained at four degrees Celsius. 30.The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the payload space includes vaccinesand/or medicine.
 31. The apparatus of claim 21, further comprising: acontroller; a plurality of thermometers positioned at a number oflocations both internally and externally to the insulated container andin communication with the controller; a humidity sensor mountedinternally to the insulated container and in communication with thecontroller; a gyroscope sensor mounted to the insulated container and incommunication with the controller; a geo-positioner mounted to theinsulated container and in communication with the controller; anaccelerometer mounted to the insulated container and in communicationwith the controller; and a network communicator mounted to the insulatedcontainer and in communication with the controller, and providing datafrom other components in communication with the controller to anexternal network;
 32. The apparatus of claim 31, further comprising: ashipping network server in communication with the external network andmonitoring the shipping progress of the insulated container andtransmitting updated shipping instructions for the insulated containerover the external network.
 33. A mobile refrigeration apparatus,comprising: an insulated container having payload space; a thermallyconductive spherical shell (“spherical shell”) contained within theinsulated container and configured to be full of water; a block of icesuspended at centrally in the spherical shell; a thermally insulatingcup (“insulator cup”) housed within the spherical shell and configuredto contain the block of ice, the insulator cup having an upper lip fromwhich higher-density water within the spherical shell spills from, theinsulator cup configured to be oriented continuously upright despite theorientation of the insulated container and enabled for the watercontained within the spherical shell to exchange thermal energy with theblock of ice through a fully exposed face.
 34. The apparatus of claim33, further comprising: netting strung across the insulator cup andabove the block of ice configured to position and collect ice thatbreaks off of the cooling element.
 35. The apparatus of claim 33,further comprising: a buoyant top affixed to the top of the insulatorcup which ensures the upright orientation of the insulator cup.
 36. Theapparatus of claim 33, wherein the internal temperature of the insulatedcontainer is maintained at four degrees Celsius.
 37. The apparatus ofclaim 36, wherein the payload space includes vaccines and/or medicine.38. A method for operating an orientation agnostic refrigerator, themethod comprising: generating a block of ice about a cooling elementcontained within a self-orienting insulator cup inside a thermallyconductive spherical shell (“spherical shell”) filled with water, andwherein the block of ice causes the temperature of the water closest tothe spherical shell to be maintained at four degrees Celsius; enablingwater cooler than four degrees Celsius and proximate to the block of iceto rise up and out of the insulator cup over an upper lip from whichhigher-density water within the spherical shell spills from, and waterthat approaches four degrees Celsius while warming to drop into theinsulator cup and cool while proximate to the block of ice; where thespherical shell is contained within an insulated container, reorientingthe insulated container such that another face of the insulatedcontainer is upright; and in response to said reorienting the insulatedcontainer, reorienting the insulator cup such that the top of the cuporients with the face of the insulated container that is currentlyupright.
 39. The method of claim 38, further comprising: monitoringblock of ice size with an ice growth sensor; in response to the block ofice dropping below a predetermined size threshold, generating additionalice with the cooling element;
 40. The method of claim 38, furthercomprising: monitoring block of ice size with an ice growth sensor;monitoring insulated container location by a location aware deviceonboard the insulated container; calculating, by a processor, the rateof ice melt compared to the distance from nearest source of power todetermine a projected time of temperature failure referenced with timefrom nearest power source; issuing modified shipping instructions forthe insulated container by a shipping network server to redirect theinsulated container to a first known source of power based upon theprojected time of temperature failure.
 41. The method of claim 38,further comprising: receiving a vending request from vending controls onexterior of the insulated container; and ejecting items from payloadspace of the insulated container according to the vending request.